Grants For Commercial Solar Panels in Ireland
Commercial Solar Grant For Irish Businesses
Energy prices have climbed sharply over the last few years and for many Irish businesses, fitting commercial solar panels has felt out of reach. The SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen Scheme has changed that. The grant helps cover the cost of installing solar PV at your premises, giving qualifying businesses up to €162,600 towards the total price.
It’s a straightforward way to make renewable energy affordable and cut your electricity bills for good. In this guide, we’ll explain how the grant works, who can apply, the rates for 2026, and how Resolute Engineering Group can support you through every step of the application.
The Non-Domestic Microgen grant is part of Ireland’s renewable-energy strategy and is managed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). It offers commercial, agricultural, public-sector and community-sector applicants financial help to install solar PV systems and start generating their own electricity on-site.
The exact grant you receive depends on the size of your system, measured in kilowatt-peak (kWp). Larger systems qualify for a higher payment, up to the maximum amount set by the SEAI for the scheme.
Example Grant Amounts 2026
| System Size | Typical Site | Solar Panel Array | 2026 Grant Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kWp e.g. small retail / café | Single-storey unit | ~30 m² · 14 panels | €1,800 |
| 30 kWp e.g. SME workshop | Industrial unit, ~600 m² roof | ~150 m² · 68 panels | €5,688 |
| 100 kWp e.g. school / clinic | School block, healthcare | ~500 m² · 230 panels | €17,028 |
| 500 kWp e.g. large factory | Manufacturing site | ~2,500 m² · 1,140 panels | €81,828 |
| 1,000 kWp scheme maximum | Large industrial / data centre | ~5,000 m² · 2,275 panels | €162,600 |
€162,600 is the maximum grant. Installations of 1,000 kWp or above receive this maximum amount.
If you’re adding extras such as battery storage or EV chargers, those don’t affect your grant value. They can be added to your setup if you wish, but they aren’t included in the SEAI grant amount.
The grant is paid as a one-time payment directly to the applicant once all installation work has been completed, inspected and approved by the SEAI.
How Much is the Grant Worth?
The amount of grant support you receive depends on the size of your solar system. This is measured by the peak generation capacity of your panels, usually expressed in kWp.
Rates for 2026
- €300 per kWp for the first 6 kWp installed
- €162 per kWp for every additional kWp from 6 kWp up to 1,000 kWp
- Total Non-Domestic Solar PV grant capped at €162,600, reached at 1,000 kWp
Examples for 2026 Rates
- 30 kWp system (approx. 68 panels) would receive €5,688 in grant support
- 100 kWp system (approx. 230 panels) would receive €17,028 in grant support
- 500 kWp system (approx. 1,140 panels) would receive €81,828 in grant support
- 1,000 kWp system or larger receives the maximum of €162,600
What Cost Can Be Covered Under the Solar PV Grant?
The Non-Domestic Microgen grant helps pay for both the equipment and the labour needed to fit a commercial solar PV system. It covers the panels, inverter, mounting gear and all installation work carried out by your SEAI-registered installer. In short, the grant goes directly towards the full cost of getting your solar panels generating at your premises.
Included in the grant
- Solar PV panels✓
- Inverter & DC isolators✓
- Mounting / ballast system✓
- AC & DC cabling✓
- Installation labour✓
- Monitoring hardware✓
Not included
- Battery storage Excluded
- EV charging hardware Excluded
- Roof strengthening Excluded
- Building works Excluded
- VAT on solar PV equipment 0% rate
- Annual accelerated capital allowances 100% year 1
What About Batteries or EV Chargers?
The grant amount is based purely on the installation of solar PV panels and does not include extra funding for batteries, EV chargers or other add-ons. These items can still be installed if you wish, but they won’t affect your SEAI grant value. There was previously a separate domestic grant for solar battery storage, though that scheme was discontinued by the SEAI a few years ago.
Funding EV charging separately
Workplace and shared EV charging supports are administered by Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI) rather than SEAI. Resolute can apply for both in parallel on your behalf — solar PV under SEAI, charging hardware under ZEVI.
Am I Eligible For a Grant?
Most non-residential properties in Ireland can qualify for the Non-Domestic Microgen grant. In fact, around 94% of commercial sites surveyed by Resolute receive SEAI approval. To check if your business meets the rules, look through the points below:
The applicant owns or holds a long lease on the building where the panels will be installed.
Tenants with landlord consent can also apply jointly.
The site has an active non-domestic MPRN.
Your 11-digit Meter Point Reference Number appears on your electricity bill and is used by SEAI for all correspondence.
The proposed solar PV system is between 1 kWp and 1,000 kWp.
Sites larger than 1,000 kWp can still install but only the first 1,000 kWp is grant-eligible.
Works begin only after written SEAI approval is received.
Ordering equipment or starting work before the letter of offer voids the application.
Installation is carried out by an SEAI-registered contractor.
Resolute is on the SEAI Solar PV Register and submits all post-works declarations for you.
All materials and products used are new and meet SEAI’s installation standards.
Second-hand or refurbished components are not permitted under the scheme.
SEAI Solar Grant Calculator
SEAI solar grant values for residential homes, businesses, commercial sites, public buildings and other non-commercial organisations. Choose your grant type below:
SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen Grant
The main support for solar panels on non-residential buildings. Open to businesses, schools, farms, community centres and non-profits. Supports systems from 1 kWp up to 1,000 kWp. Maximum grant: €162,600.
How Can I Find the Most Appropriate System Size for My Building?
The right solar system depends on how much electricity your business uses and how much roof or ground space you have available. A good installer will pull at least 12 months of half-hourly consumption data from ESB Networks, review roof orientation and structural capacity, and model annual yield for your location. Most Irish commercial sites sit between 50 kWp and 350 kWp, but the exact size varies considerably by sector.
The easiest way to be sure is to get an SEAI-registered installer onto the roof for a survey and let them work out what will deliver the best payback for your business.
Can we install a system larger than 1,000 kWp?
You can, of course — many manufacturing and distribution sites need it. Just remember the SEAI grant only covers the first 1,000 kWp. Anything bigger won’t get extra Microgen funding, though you can still install it. Projects beyond 1,000 kWp typically apply for the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) instead, which works as a long-term price guarantee rather than an upfront grant.
Does the grant only cover roof-mounted solar PV panels?
No, it isn’t limited to the roof. If your roof doesn’t suit — perhaps due to structural limits, shading or orientation — you can install a ground-mounted system instead, provided it meets SEAI rules for the grant. Many rural and agricultural sites choose this option when they have plenty of space outside.
Do I Need Planning Permission to Install Solar Panels?
No. SEAI grant approval is not tied to planning permission. Most commercial sites can add panels without it, provided the installation follows normal guidelines.
What are the Planning Permission Rules for Commercial Solar Panels?
For most commercial and industrial buildings in Ireland, you no longer need planning permission to put solar panels on the roof. The rules changed in 2022 and the old 50% roof-area cap was dropped for industrial, business and agricultural sites. You can now cover your full roof if your engineer signs off on the structural load.
A few exceptions still apply. Buildings inside solar safeguarding zones (typically near aerodromes), protected structures and Architectural Conservation Areas may still need permission. Ground-mounted arrays over 0.5 hectares also require a planning application. It’s best to have a quick chat with your installer or check with your local council before going ahead.
How Do I Apply for a Solar PV Grant?
Applying for the SEAI grant is straightforward once you know the steps. You just need to follow the process in order and make sure everything’s done by an approved installer. Resolute manages every stage end-to-end.
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Pick Your Solar Installation Company Choose an SEAI-registered installer before submitting the application. Their registration number, project reference and design summary all go on the application form, so they need to be appointed first.
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Apply via the SEAI Website You or your installer submits the grant application online through the SEAI portal. Wait for the letter of offer before any work begins — starting early voids the grant.
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Get Your Panels Installed Once approved, your installer can fit the solar panels, inverter and any other equipment agreed in your quote. They’ll also arrange the ESB Networks NC6/NC7 connection if required.
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We Handle the Paperwork & Updated BER Certificate After installation, the installer handles the declaration of works and helps you obtain an updated BER certificate from an SEAI-registered assessor where required. This shows your building’s revised energy rating.
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Receive Your Grant Payment When all documents are approved by SEAI, the grant is paid directly to you as a one-time payment. It usually arrives within 3 to 5 weeks of completion.
What Information Do I Need to Apply?
Before you start your application for the SEAI Non-Domestic Microgen grant, it helps to have a few details ready. Getting these together early makes the process quick and stress-free.
- MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number): The 11-digit number on your electricity bill. SEAI uses it for all correspondence — make sure the address and details registered with ESB Networks are correct.
- 12 months of consumption data: Your last year of electricity bills, or your ESB Networks data download, so the system can be sized to your actual load.
- Company VAT & CRO number: Required for the applicant’s identity check on the SEAI portal.
- An SEAI-registered installer appointed: Resolute’s registration details will be entered on your behalf.
- Basic system information: Proposed kWp size, panel count, inverter model and roof or ground layout — your installer provides this.
- Contact email address: SEAI correspondence is sent by email to the named applicant.
Applications must be made by the entity holding the MPRN — not by the installer or a third-party agent. We understand how the paperwork can feel complicated, so our team supports you through every step.
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Commonly Asked Questions
Most clients see their payment lodged within a month or so after the job is signed off. SEAI typically takes a few weeks to verify the paperwork, but once everything is approved the money lands fairly quickly.
No. You’ll need to pick a registered SEAI installer first because their details go on your application. They’ll also help with the paperwork to make sure everything meets SEAI’s requirements.
Yes. You pay your installer for the full job and then the grant amount is reimbursed directly to you by SEAI once everything is approved. It’s a refund process, not an upfront discount.
Mixed-use sites are assessed on the basis of how the MPRN is registered with ESB Networks. If yours is currently domestic but the building is actually used commercially, we’ll help you arrange the change of classification before applying.
Absolutely. You can start with panels only and add a battery later when it suits you. Just remember the SEAI grant only covers the solar panels themselves, not the battery system.
Yes — we handle the entire SEAI application on your behalf. From the initial form through to the post-installation declaration of works, our grants team manages every step. If you have questions along the way, just ask and we’ll be glad to help.
You can install a larger system but only the first 1,000 kWp qualifies for Microgen funding, capped at €162,600. Larger projects usually move onto the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), which uses a long-term price-floor structure rather than a capital grant.